Dr. Matthew Louis Whitaker
Research Assistant Professor
Mineral Physics Institute
Stony Brook University
Earth & Space Sciences Rm. 132
Stony Brook, NY 11794-2100 USA
Office Phone: +1-631-632-9351
Office FAX: +1-631-632-8140
E-Mail: matthew(dot)whitaker(at)stonybrook(dot)edu
Website: http://www.mattwhitaker.net

Date of Birth: August 25, 1979
Birthplace: Kingston, NY, USA
M rocking out Beamline Scientist
Beamline XPD-D @ NSLS-II
Brookhaven National Laboratory
Bldg. 741, C08Q
Upton, NY 11973
Office Phone: +1-631-344-4066
Beamline Phone: +1-631-344-3704
E-Mail: mwhitaker(at)bnl(dot)gov
Website: http://compres.us/ (Beamline Site Coming Soon)
Citizenship: United States
Family Status: Married w/ 3 Children
Current Positions
Research Assistant Professor - Mineral Physics Institute, Stony Brook University; Stony Brook, NY, U.S.A.
   Beamline Scientist - Beamline XPD-D @ National Synchrotron Light Source II, Brookhaven National Laboratory; Upton, NY, U.S.A.
   Beamline Scientist - Beamline 6-BM-B @ Advanced Photon Source, Argonne National Laboratory; Lemont, IL, U.S.A.
Research Assistant Professor - Department of Geosciences, Stony Brook University; Stony Brook, NY, U.S.A.

Education
Department of Geosciences - Stony Brook University
August, 2009 - Ph.D. in Geosciences; Concentraion in Mineral Physics, Geochemistry
Dissertation Title: "A Journey Toward the Center of the Earth – Iron/Light-Element Alloys at Extreme Conditions and Their Implications for the Earth's Core" - (Abstract)
Final Grade Point Average - 4.0
Ph.D. Advisor - Baosheng Li
Department of Geological Sciences - State University of New York at New Paltz
May, 2002 - B.S. in Geological Sciences, with Honors; Minor in Chemistry
Final Grade Point Average - 3.49
Undergraduate Advisor - Constantine Manos
Kingston High School - Kingston, NY
June, 1997 - New York State Regents Diploma, with Honors; Major in Science

Employment History
07/2011 - Present: Research Assistant Professor - Mineral Physics Institute, Stony Brook University; Stony Brook, NY, U.S.A.
   01/2015 - Present: Beamline Scientist - Beamline XPD-D @ National Synchrotron Light Source II, Brookhaven National Laboratory; Upton, NY, U.S.A.
   06/2014 - Present: Beamline Scientist - Beamline 6-BM-B @ Advanced Photon Source, Argonne National Laboratory; Lemont, IL, U.S.A.
01/2015 - 08/2018: Research Assistant Professor - Department of Geosciences, Stony Brook University; Stony Brook, NY, U.S.A.
07/2011 - 10/2014: Beamline Scientist - X17MAC Facility @ National Synchrotron Light Source, Brookhaven National Laboratory; Upton, NY, U.S.A.
07/2010 - 07/2013: Visiting Assistant Professor - Mineral Physics Institute, Stony Brook University; Stony Brook, NY, U.S.A.
04/2010 - 06/2011: Assistant Professor (助教) of Mineral Physics - Geodynamics Research Center, Ehime University; Matsuyama, JAPAN
09/2009 - 03/2010: Post-Doctoral Fellow - Global Center of Excellence in Deep Earth Mineralogy, Ehime University; Matsuyama, JAPAN
03/2007 - 08/2009: Research Assistant - Mineral Physics Institute, Stony Brook University; Stony Brook, NY, U.S.A.
01/2006 - 08/2009: Ph.D. Candidate - Department of Geosciences, Stony Brook University; Stony Brook, NY, U.S.A.
09/2002 - 12/2005: Teaching Assistant - Department of Geosciences, Stony Brook University; Stony Brook, NY, U.S.A.
07/2002 - 08/2009: Graduate Student - Department of Geosciences, Stony Brook University; Stony Brook, NY, U.S.A.
01/2001 - 05/2002: Undergraduate Teaching Assistant - Department of Geological Sciences, SUNY at New Paltz; New Paltz, NY, U.S.A.

Research Interests
Mineral Physics
  • Determination of physical properties of materials at high pressure and temperature
  • Investigation of iron/light-element alloys, mantle minerals, and novel materials under extreme conditions
  • Combined Ultrasonic Interferometry and Synchrotron X-Radiation techniques in Multi-Anvil Apparatus
  • High pressure studies using Diamond Anvil Cells and Synchrotron X-Radiation
  • Reconciling differences in experimental results obtained using different techniques
  • High Pressure and high temperature synthesis of novel and Earth materials
  • Planetary Science
  • Investigation of candidate constituents of terrestrial planetary cores
  • Comparison of experimental results with geochemical constraints on planetary composition
  • Development of new experimental techniques aimed at reproducing metastable conditions similar to impacts
  • Using terrestrial magmatism as a potential analog for volcanic diversity on Mars
  • Experimental and analytical geochemical studies of martian meteorites (specifically Yamato 980459)
  • Experimental Petrology and Geochemistry
  • Phase equilibria in melts as a function of pressure, temperature, and water content
  • Residual liquid evolution during liquid differentiation; from basalt to rhyolite
  • Investigating petrogenetic relationships between rock types found in common intraplate suites

  • Technical Experience and Skills
  • Synchrotron X-Ray Techniques
  • Powder Diffraction (Energy and Angle Dispersive)
  • X-Radiographic Imaging
  • Inelastic X-Ray Scattering / X-ray Emission Spectroscopy
  • Pair Distribution Function
  • Hard X-ray Microbeam Analysis
  • X-ray Absorption Near Edge Structure (XANES) Spectroscopy
  • High Pressure Experimental Techniques
  • Gas Pressure Apparatus
  • Piston-Cylinder Apparatus (End-Loaded and Non-End-Loaded)
  • Multi-Anvil Apparatus (Walker Module, Split Sphere, Split Cylinder, Kawai-type, DIA, and D-DIA)
  • Diamond Anvil Cell
  • Ultrasonic Interferometry for Acoustic Velocity Measurement
  • Various Low-Pressure Furnace Designs for Experiments and Sample Synthesis
  • Controlled fO2 Experiments Using Gas-Mixing Furnace
  • X-Ray Powder Diffraction and Micro-Diffraction
  • Electron Microprobe and Scanning Electron Microscopy (Standard and Field Emission)
  • Petrographic Microscopy (reflected and polarized light)
  • Analytical Transmission Electron Microscopy
  • Theoretical First Principles Calculations Using PWSCF ab initio Software Package
  • Extensive sample synthesis and preparation experience with several techniques
  • Extensive experience designing and machining experimental materials, parts, and cell assemblies
  • Some solid-state Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy experience
  • Proficient in coding HTML and some minor Javascript and Flash for web content
  • Experienced in designing and building custom computer workstations and servers

  • National Laboratory and Synchrotron Facility Experience
    Advanced Photon Source (APS) at Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), U.S.A.
  • Beamline 6-BM-B (Beamline Scientist, Principal Investigator & User): Beamline for Multi-Anvil High Pressure Research.    June 2014 – Present
  • Beamline 11-ID-B (User): High Energy X-Ray Diffraction and Pair Distribution Function.    February 2017 – Present
  • Sector 13 - GSECARS Beamline 13-ID-D (User): X-Ray Diffraction, X-Radiographic Imaging, and Ultrasonic Interferometry at High Pressure and Temperature in Large Volume Multi-Anvil Apparatus.    October 2007 – Present
  • National Synchrotron Light Source (NSLS) at Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL), U.S.A.
  • Beamline X17B2 (Beamline Scientist, User & Principal Investigator): X-Ray Diffraction, X-Radiographic Imaging, Synthesis, Deformation, and Ultrasonic Interferometry at High Pressure and Temperature in Large Volume Multi-Anvil Apparatus.    April 2007 – October 2014
  • Beamline X17B2ss (User & Principal Investigator): X-Ray Diffraction, X-Radiographic Imaging, and Deformation at High Pressure and Temperature in Large Volume Multi-Anvil Apparatus.    July 2011 - October 2014
  • Beamline X17B3 (User & Principal Investigator): X-Ray Diffraction in Diamond Anvil Cells.    April 2013 – October 2014
  • Beamline X17C (User & Principal Investigator): X-Ray Diffraction in Diamond Anvil Cells.    March 2008 – October 2014
  • Beamline X26A (User): Hard X-Ray Microprobe and Fe-XANES    September 2002 – August 2003
  • National Synchrotron Light Source II (NSLS-II) at Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL), U.S.A.
  • Beamline XPD-D (Lead Beamline Scientist, Principal Investigator, & User): Beamline for Multi-Anvil High Pressure Research.    October 2014 - Present
  • SPring-8 (Super Photon Ring – 8 GeV) in Hyogo, Japan
  • Beamline BL04B1 (User & Principal Investigator): X-Ray Diffraction, X-Radiographic Imaging, and Ultrasonic Interferometry at High Pressure and Temperature in Large Volume Multi-Anvil Apparatus.    November 2009 – Present
  • Beamline BL10XU (User & Co-Investigator): Diamond Raman Spectroscopic Pressure Measurement and X-Ray Diffraction in Diamond Anvil Cells.    February 2010 – Present
  • Beamline BL12XU (User & Co-Investigator): Inelastic X-ray Scattering / X-ray Emission Spectroscopy in Diamond Anvil Cell    February 2010 – Present

  • Professional Service
  • COMPRES Multi-Anvil High Pressure Program Co-Principal Investigator (w/ D.J. Weidner)
  • January 2017 - Present
  • National Synchrotron Light Source II Beamline XPD-D High Pressure Development Team - Lead Scientist
  • June 2014 - Present
  • Advanced Photon Source Beamline 6-BM-B Development Team - Lead Scientist
  • May 2013 - December 2016
  • COMPRES Multi-Anvil Cell Assembly Development Project Member
  • 2012 - Present
  • COMPRES ad hoc Education Committee
  • July 2012 - June 2013
  • COMPRES International Experiences Workshop Panelist
  • June 2011
  • Principal Convener and International Session Chair @ Japan Geosciences Annual Meeting
  • May 2011
  • American Geophysical Union Student Paper Award Judge
  • 2010 - Present
  • COMPRES Student/post-doc Executive Delegation (Founding Member)
        COMPRESSED Chairperson
  • June 2008 - June 2010
    June 2008 - June 2009
  • COMPRES Program Committee
  • 2009
  • COMPRES Discussion Forum Developer/Administrator
  • 2008 - 2010
  • High Pressure Working Group, NSLS-II
  • May 2008 - Present


    Publications
    Abstracts
    Complete CV (PDF)

    Email The M-Master. All Contents © 2002-2017 Matthew L. Whitaker